The United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) of Milwaukee announced that Cristy Garcia-Thomas, president, has accepted the position as president of the Aurora Health Care Foundation.
Garcia-Thomas has served as president of the UPAF since October 2007, recently ending its 2011 campaign by surpassing its goal of $9.65 million by raising $9.74 million for its 34 member and affiliate groups. UPAF is the largest united arts fund in the country for the performing arts and has provided over $224 million in operating support to the performing arts over the last 44 years.
"Cristy’s contributions and leadership have been outstanding. She’s made an incredible impact for the Milwaukee arts community and she will be greatly missed," said Rich Meeusen, board chairman of UPAF. "While we are obviously sorry for our loss, we are delighted for Cristy’s new opportunity and look forward to more great things she will be able to provide for Milwaukee and the surrounding communities."
The search committee to seek a replacement for Garcia-Thomas will be headed by UPAF board member Susan Fronk, president and chief executive officer, MRA-The Management Association.
Husco makes parts used in the construction, material handling, automotive, agriculture and mining industries. Gus served as CEO and executive chairman of the global company for 25 years. He will retain his chairman position.
The company has experienced significant growth coming out of the recession, and the family believed this was an ideal time for a leadership transition, Austin Ramirez said.
Since Husco focuses on products that make cars more fuel efficient, the automotive sector of the business has seen big gains, he said. Additionally, the company has seen international growth in emerging market economies like China.
“Even though the market overall is growing at a moderate pace, the penetration of the products that we provide is growing very rapidly,” Austin Ramirez said. “The rate of infrastructure construction in China, whether it’s roads or railroads or bridges, continues to increase and they need a lot of construction equipment.”
The growth has meant an influx of hiring at Husco, which has added 500 jobs, including 200 at its Waukesha and Whitewater locations, since the trough of the recession in 2009. Some of the manufacturing facilities also have been expanded, he said.
As CEO, Austin plans to help the company develop its technology portfolio to bring competitive products to the marketplace.
He expects to see record company growth as the U.S. housing market recovers in the coming months.
The Business Council, affiliate of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce that works to increase opportunities for ethnically diverse companies, has named its 2011 board of directors and officers.
The membership elected the following board members: Tina Beckett, ManpowerGroup; William Coleman, Coleman & Williams Ltd.; Ugo Nwagbaraocha, Diamond Discs International; Minoo Seifoddini – Custom Service Plastics Inc.; and Jean Marie Thiel, Belonger Corp.
New directors will join current members of the board, including: David Aragon, Site Personnel Services Inc.; Jessie Leonard, Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Peter Coffaro, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; Valerie Matthews, GAFCO LLC; and Wallace White, W2EXCEL, LLC.
The board elected the following members to serve as its 2011 officers: Edna Abernathy, E. R. Abernathy Industrial Inc., co-chair; Walt Buckhanan, M & I Bank, co-chair; Shannon Jefferson, Gibraltar Industries, first vice chair and secretary; Nelson Soler, Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute, second vice chair and treasurer; and Jerry Fulmer, WeEnergies, immediate past chair.
The Business Council’s mission is to create and maximize access to economic opportunities and resources for its members, which will support the financial stability of ethnically diverse-owned businesses and stimulate their expansion.
Sussex-based Quad/Graphics Inc. announced the appointment of Tony Scaringi to president and general manager of Latin America.
Scaringi will succeed current Guy Trahan, who will retire on Dec. 31 and will remain involved with the company in an advisory role until that time to help smooth the transition.
Scaringi currently serves as the company’s chief financial officer of Latin America.
Quad/Graphics is the largest commercial printer in Latin America.
"I would like to thank Guy for his many years of service and significant contributions to Quad/Graphics and to the entire printing industry," said Joel Quadracci, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Quad/Graphics. "He has been one of the most recognizable and respected individuals in printing in Latin America for nearly 15 years, and we applaud his many achievements. Throughout his time leading in Latin America, he has worked closely with Tony Scaringi to grow a sizable and competitive presence in this large and emerging market. As Guy now transitions into retirement, I have full confidence in Tony’s ability to continue to direct this important segment of our business, especially having been mentored by Guy all these years. I look forward to what he and our united team of nine facilities in Latin America can accomplish together."
Scaringi, who is fluent in five languages, will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Latin American operations, which includes plants in Argentina, Brazil, Chile (a partnership with the Aguirre family), Colombia, Peru and Mexico. In addition, he will work closely with Plural Editora e Grafica, Quad/Graphics’ joint venture in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"Together, all these facilities form a strong base from which we’ll continue to help clients in Latin America and in the United States reach their business goals," Scaringi said. "Our wide-ranging geographical coverage in six countries on two continents enables us to provide local printing expertise with vast export capabilities. I’m excited to build upon our strong foundation as we continue to maximize the relevance and the power of print."
